Drafting Danilo Gallinari with the sixth overall pick in last June’s draft was a gamble for the Knicks. One they thought was worth the risk. It has become an even greater crapshoot since the 6-10 forward has developed a chronic back problem that has sidelined him for most of this season. The 20-year-old from Italy, playing professionally since the age of 14 had been out since October 31 before suiting up last Friday against Philadelphia. The early signs of his comeback have been favorable.
On Monday, in the Knicks’ annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game, Gallinari gave the team a significant lift off of the bench in their 102-98 win over the Chicago Bulls which improved their record to 16-24. . Juxtaposed with fellow rookie Derrick Rose, the No. 1 selection in the draft who is well on his way to becoming a bona fide star, Gallinari held his own. Along with his activity and energy, at a slender 225 pounds he showed no fear of mixing it up underneath and exhibited the versatility to step outside and hit the three. Gallinari finished with six points and had several key plays on both ends of floor in his 16 minutes and 24 seconds of action, most notably a block against Rose that ignited the curious and pleased Garden crowd. “The best surprise is that defensively he doesn’t hurt us,” said coach Mike D’Antoni. “As a matter of fact, he helped us… As soon as he gets a little strength and confidence, he’s going to be even better.” Gallinari, intoned with an icepack on his lower back, said “I’m used to playing that way. I’m just happy I’m bringing the same type of game to this team.” Gallinari has been compared to the Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki, the 2007 MVP. A big relief for skeptics who still question the Knicks’decision to draft Gallinari, an unknown European over a more tested American collegian such as the Nets’ Brooks Lopez. But if Gallinari someday comes close to approaching the status of Nowitzki, then the Knicks will have a cornerstone of the franchise and a hook for potential free agents such as LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the summer of 2010.